All Over the WorldAll Over the WorldRough DiamondsTimeless StarsDeath to the Pixies 1987-1991VelouriaGive Me EcstasySurfer Rosa/Come on PilgrimLive in Minneapolis, MNWave of Mutilation: The Best of PixiesDebaser Studio [EP]Live at the Town and Country Club 1988Surfer RosaSurfer Rosa [Limited Edition]Twelve Final Shows: Live in Norfolk, VA - 12/6/2004Twelve Final Shows: Live in Washington, D.C. - 12/8/2004Surfer Rosa [Reissue]MinotaurMinotaurAcoustic & Electric LiveAcoustic & Electric Live

General CommentAccording to Deal, the main inspiration for the song was the film Crimes of the Heart, in which a married woman falls in love with a black teenager[2] and the song "Gigantic" is credited to Mrs John Murphy (Kim Deal's pseudonym at the time of Come On Pilgrim and Surfer Rosa and an ironic feminist joke).
so yeah

My InterpretationOK, to deny the interracial sexual element of this song you would have to be either willfully dense or hopelessly oblivious yet i believe as with many pixies songs there exists a metaphysical interpretation underlying the surface. Let's imagine that the woman narrating is speaking of her feelings for Paul as a spiritual manifestation of the love of god and naturally comparing Paul's physical characteristics to her preconceived notion of god's appearance. The opening line, "And this I know: His teeth as white as snow" sounds like a declaration of faith using a simile that contains divine symbology. The color white being symbolic of light and purity and the comparison with snow which falls from the heavens. The heavens being the mythological dwelling place for most deities.

The next line, "What a gas it was to see him" can be seen as an expression of exuberant joy at the thought of being in the presence of your creator in addition to being a metaphor for the energy such a force would emanate. The following line, "Walk her every day into a shady place" I think suggests that contrary to conventional wisdom god may not always have the best intentions and in reality does have a dark side so even though this entity provides this amazing illumination it is still capable of leading some souls into shady places. The pre chorus line, With her lips she said, "Hey, Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul Let's have a ball" reveals both the humorous irony of this song and the desired outcome of this supernatural relationship. The irony residing in the meaning of the name Paul which is of latin origin and is defined as, "small; humble" if that wasn't intended, excuse the pun but it's one gigantic coincidence.

Now, the let's have a ball line is of course a metaphor for having a good time but in the metaphysical context a ball is explained as an spherical celestial body. So, having a ball could be akin to having a world which is what two people in a relationship would be sharing or in relation to god it could be said that one experiences god through this world. At this point, the remaining lyrics I haven't expounded upon shouldn't be that HARD to attribute DEEPER meaning to within the spiritual context theorized throughout. The idea of god is gigantic, the existence of such a being powerful enough to have created the known universe and all life made from it is a gigantic concept.

I consider "Divine Hammer" to be a sexual/spiritual sequel of sorts to "Gigantic" in a way. Hopefully, I'm not the only one who sees it from this vantage point. If anybody else does please let your thoughts be known. Oh, just to clarify I'm agnostic leaning towards atheist but even in the absence of faith god is a fascinating idea to ponder.

At last, someone who has ears. The interpretations are open to question, but the double meaning, metaphysical aspect certainly underlies this song and all of their lyrics. I'm always amazed that people can listen to a song and only attribute 1 literal meaning to it. If the lyrics here are read as 'physical' endowments, the song cheapens quickly, and becomes slightly sad and sordid; but if read as you've rightly suggested, expands into a celebration of attributes which eyes don't see. All those with ears, hear! I'm only sorry it took me 3 pages to reach your post- maybe there should be a ranking of sorts on this forum?

General Commentthis is an awesome song, as the pixies are an awesome band, and surfer rosa is an awesome lp! oh and this song is about a relationship between a black male (gigantic gigantic, a big big love/ hes like the dark but i want him) and white female whose gotten greif for dating, possibly even marrying someone of the opposite sex. great song, kim deal is amazing. check out the breeders for more kim.